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Packers secondary getting beyond loss of Woodson

Putting past behind them

Packers free safety M.D. Jennings is fighting for a place on the roster. The Packers secondary is looking to replace the production of veteran Charles Woodson.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Packers safety M.D. Jennings stood in front of his locker and patiently answered every question about the final play in last year's Seahawks game.

Yes, that one, with the replacement referees and Golden Tate's disputed touchdown.

For as much as others bring up the infamous call, Jennings isn't stuck in the past.

He'll have more pressing matters on his mind when Seattle visits Lambeau Field for a preseason game tonight.

The post-Charles Woodson era is under way in the Green Bay secondary, where Jennings is locked in a training camp duel with Jerron McMillan at strong safety.

"It's close, close enough that we haven't made a decision yet," safeties coach Darren Perry said. "It will probably come down to the end."

Well, Friday night represents a chance for Jennings to create some separation – and maybe exorcise some bad memories, too.

"All the time, it's something that's stuck with me unfortunately," Jennings said about the play. "It's something that I'm trying to get over. I don't want to be remembered by that play. I just try to go out there and play football."

As if the task of following veteran defensive leader Woodson wasn't tough enough.

Released in the offseason in a cost-cutting move by Green Bay after 7 years, the 36-year-old Woodson is back with the Oakland Raiders, the team that originally drafted him in 1998.

Not that the Packers aren't used to playing without Woodson, who missed the last nine games of the 2012 regular season because of a broken right collarbone. Woodson did play in the team's two postseason games.

Woodson, the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, was one of the most respected players in the locker room.

"It was an honor and a blessing to play with a Hall of Fame player like Charles Woodson, just to be able to be around him, watch him work on and off the field," free safety Morgan Burnett said.